Peripheral Blood Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Platelet Rich Fibrin Matrix in the Management of Class II Gingival Recession: A Case Report

The treatment of gingival recession is a frequent demand due to aesthetic concern, root caries, and /or root hypersensitivity. The purpose of this case study was to evaluate the success and predictability of coronally advanced flap (CAF) in combination with peripheral blood mesenchymal stem cells (PBMSCs) and platelet rich fibrin matrix(PRFM) for the management of Miller's Class II gingival recession. CAF followed by placement of PBMSCs and PRFM was performed on a male patient, aged 25 years having Miller’s Class II gingival recession of 5-6 mm on the upper left canine, premolars and molars. The patient was followed up for 3 months. Root coverage of 60.0% and clinical attachment gain of 3 mm were evident following 3 months of follow-up. This novel technique showed an effective way to increase the width of attached gingiva and treat gingival recession.


Introduction
Gingival recession is defined as the displacement of the soft tissue margin apical to the cemento-enamel junction with exposure of root surface in the oral cavity [1]. It is one of the predominantly seen aesthetic concerns in periodontics. Therefore, obtaining predictable root coverage supported by a significant level of tissue regeneration has become a crucial aspect of periodontal plastic surgery.
Coronally advanced flap (CAF) when used alone, despite having advantages, is not reliable on a long-term basis [2]. Hence, such procedures do not assure the regeneration of lost attachment apparatus such as cementum, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone, leading to a recurrence. Therefore, CAF is usually combined with a broad range of treatment alternatives like barrier membranes, autografts, demineralized freeze-dried bone allografts, bovine-derived xenografts, and combinations of membranes and fillers [3]. Until recently, only a few of these therapies have been considered as true regenerative techniques, regardless of their unpredictable outcomes. Autologous platelet concentrates represent promising innovative tools in periodontal regeneration field. Several studies have evaluated the effectiveness of platelet rich plasma (PRP) and platelet rich fibrin (PRF) in various clinical scenarios that require rapid healing and have found positive clinical and radiographic outcomes [4][5][6]. These positive outcomes have roused the need to extend and compare the usefulness of PRF to the newly developed platelet rich fibrin matrix (PRFM), which is a simplified process without artificial biomodification, representing a new step in the platelet gel therapeutic concept [7].
On the other hand, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stromal cell with prominent regenerative functions, which were for the first time identified and isolated from bone marrow. MSCs were later found in various tissues including peripheral blood, umbilical cord, adipose tissue and [8]. Lately increasing attention to peripheral blood mesenchymal stem cells (PBMSCs) is being drawn as they share identical biological properties with MSCs procured from either adipose tissue or bone marrow [9]. It would be very beneficial if PBM-SCs could be procured and amplified to agreeable num-bers, ensuring the osteogenic capacity is maintained in a clinically permitted period. Hence, the novel idea of combining these materials with their respective regenerative properties for treating Miller's class II gingival recession to the best of our knowledge was done for the first time in the field of periodontics.    (Figure 7).

Discussion
The present case report aimed at treating multiple Miller's Class-II gingival recessions with CAF and supercell. PRP, PRF, and platelet gels are autologous materials with high platelet concentration that integrate the advantageous properties of growth factors in platelets and fibrin sealants and thereby provide optimal growth factor release at the site of injury. The application of these preparations revolves around the tenet that, growth factors have a key role in soft and hard tissue repair mechanisms [10]. Amongst the various platelet concentrates, PRFM allows a sustained, effective dispensation of growth factors to the wound site.    They possess the ability to enhance tissue repair by isolation, concentration, and preservation of autologous platelets in a dense fibrin matrix [11]. Postnatal tissuespecific stem cells hold great promise in enhancing the repair of damaged tissues. Invasive procedures are required to procure most of these cells from either adipose tissue or bone marrow. Due to its ease of retrieval peripheral blood is a good substitutable source for stem cells or progenitor cells [12].
Clinical and histologic data reveal that the platelet concentrate therapeutic concept and recently stem cell technology would provide an encouraging medium for improvement of soft tissue healing and regeneration in periodontology. Accelerated periodontal healing and regenerative effects have popularized the indications of platelet concentrates in various surgical procedures in periodontics [13]. In the present case, report use of PRFM and PBMSCs along with CAF has shown good clinical outcomes and esthetic results. However, to assess the type of healing no histologic evaluation was performed. Therefore, the effect of PRFM and PBMSCs on the formation of a connective tissue attachment needs to be established.

Conclusion
The combination of PRFM and PBMSCs has a potential for both hard and soft tissue regeneration and is a promising material in the field of periodontal regeneration.
This novel material has been used along with CAF procedure for the first time for root coverage, which has shown promising result. However, we can substantiate these results with further evaluation of this material through long-term follow-ups and by randomized controlled trials.

Conflict of Interest
No external funding, apart from the support of the authors' institution, was available for this study. The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest in this study.